Downton Abbey Named Best New TV Show of Last Decade

Downton Abbey has been named as the best new television show of the last 10 years in a recent poll.

The popular period drama, starring Dame Maggie Smith among many others, claimed the top spot in a poll by UK television service Freeview.

Dame Maggie Smith stars in the period drama which has been hugely successful.

They wanted to find out what was the most popular programme since they launched back in 2002 and the ITV drama came out in poll position.

Channel 4 comedy series The Inbetweeners came in second followed by the BBC’s Sherlock starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

Everybody's favourite group of lads came in second place.

Ilse Howling of Freeview said: “From Downton to Dragon’s Den, Sherlock to Shameless, the last 10 years have been a golden era for TV viewers.”

A number of reality shows made the top ten list including The Apprentice, Come Dine With Me and X Factor. Sir David Attenborough’s award-winning documentary series Planet Earth also made the cut.

It's no surprise Planet Earth also made it into the top ten.